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In Game One of the Russian Superleague finals, Magnitogorsk moved out to a quick 1-0 series lead defeating Kazan 5-2. Dimitri Kazionov was scoreless for Ak Bars in the game. Through 9 playoff games the 2002 4th round pick has 1 goal and 3 points with 4 penalty minutes and a +1 rating. Game Two is set for Sunday.

Choosing this month's award winner was admittedly the most difficult of the season. A handful of prospects had good months, but none stepped up and seized the award by the throat leaving Bolt Prospects to have to spend some time thinking over the selection. In Springfield, Eric Healey paced the Falcons offensively (12 GP, 4-9-13, 2 PIM, -4) while Norm Milley played several inspired games (12 GP, 4-4-8, 14 PIM, -9). However, given Springfield's difficulty in winning hockey games we were hard pressed to give the award to a Falcon. For similar reasons, Chris Lawrence (9 GP, 6-4-10, 10 PIM, +2 and 4 GP, 3-0-3, 8 PIM, -6 in the playoffs) was eliminated from contention after his Mississauga Ice Dogs were unceremoniously upset in the first round of the OHL playoffs. So, this months winner was narrowed down to...

The Cougars' Vladimir Mihalik, fresh off signing a professional contract with the Lightning, was credited with his first career playoff goal, but it wasn't enough as Prince George fell to Dane Crowley and Everett 3-2 in Everett. The Silvertips used a 3-goal second period to take a 3-0 lead and hold on for a 1-0 series lead in the clubs' WHL Western Conference Semifinal matchup. Mihalik was credited with a goal when his shot bounced in off a Silvertips player. He also had 2 PIM and an even rating. Crowley was scoreless and even. Game 2 is tonight (Saturday) in Everett.

In Game Two of their Elitserien final series, MODO struck back to even defeating Linkopings 3-2. Lightning prospect defenseman Andreas Holmqvist was scoreless in the game. Former Springfield Falcon Zdenek Blatny had 1 assist and 2 penalty minutes in the match for MODO. The series is now tied at 1-1. Game Three is slated for Sunday.

The Lightning loss coupled with Atlanta's win tonight in Carolina makes the Thrashers the division champions. The Lightning's complete inability to secure winnable games against Florida in the final month of the season is the cause, and the Lightning have absolutely no one but themselves to blame. They should have been the 2006-2007 Southeast Division champions. They gave the banner away.

Tomorrow's game in Atlanta takes on diminished meaning. The Lightning will either finish with the #6 or #7 seed depending on what they and the Rangers do in their final games. A Lightning win and Rangers regulation loss gives Tampa a first round series with Atlanta. Any other set of results gives the Lightning a first round matchup with New Jersey. More importantly, Saturday's game will be a key opportunity to rebound psychologically from tonight's collapse. No one in their right mind would want to limp into New Jersey with a couple of season ending losses under these circumstances and try to upset such a battle tested franchise.